He noted that members of the watchdog group Citizens for Good Government, a constant presence at council meetings, had said they might feel comfortable skipping a meeting or two if the parish had an inspector general to help keep an eye on things.

"I'm going to hold them to that campaign commitment, and I think that's a collateral benefit," Young said. "You know, of course, I'm just kidding. We love to see you, but you don't have to come to every meeting once we have an inspector general."

Talk about wishful thinking.

Margie Seemann, the group's vice chairwoman, smiled and chuckled at Young's ribbing. But when she stepped to the microphone moments later, Seemann didn't deviate from her prepared remarks as she raised numerous concerns about a grass-cutting contract on the agenda.

She said a required affidavit listing the low-bidder's campaign contributions to council members was "inadequate and incomplete." She also said a provision that would have allowed the contract to be extended violated parish ordinances.

Parish administrators acknowledged Seemann was correct about the contract extensions. But they said that the contract would save the parish $5 million and that state bid laws prohibit disqualifying a bidder based on the affidavits, which are a parish requirement.

Seemann, who had used up her allotted time to speak, returned to the microphone and started to respond before Council Chairman Chris Roberts cut her off.